The first episode of the Brighteye Sidekick podcast dove into the state of Edtech in 2024, highlighting the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry.
Our host, David, sat down with Rhys, Head of Platform and Research, to break down the latest insights from the Brighteye Edtech Funding Report 2025.
Listen on
TIMESTAMPS:
(0:00) Intro
(1:01) What happened in 2024
(6:55) Edtech 2.0
(10:28) Predictions
(16:11) Outro
Key takeaways:
1. 2024 Was Stronger Than Expected for Edtech Funding
Despite concerns of a downturn, global Edtech funding saw a positive shift in 2024. While Europe lagged behind the U.S., the number of deals globally increased significantly, jumping from 915 to over 1,100. The US led the way with $3.4 billion in investments, signalling a likely rebound for European markets in 2025!
2. A Surge in Early-Stage Investments
More deals under $15 million were completed in 2024 than ever before, indicating a strong pipeline of early-stage startups. This trend suggests a future rise in later-stage funding rounds (Series A, B, and beyond) over the next few years, laying the groundwork for sustained sector growth.
3. The Rise of Edtech 2.0
The industry is evolving beyond traditional education technology, integrating AI, workforce learning, and seamless user experiences. Edtech 2.0 extends beyond classrooms and universities, embedding learning into financial, healthcare, and productivity tools. This shift represents a major transformation in how we approach education.
4. Just-in-Time Learning and Super Staffing
A key trend for 2025 is the rise of "Just-in-Time Learning," where individuals acquire and apply new skills in real-time. This concept is particularly relevant to sectors facing labor shortages, such as healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality. Super staffing solutions - leveraging AI-driven talent development - are emerging to address these gaps and drive efficiency.
-> If you (founder) are working on these solutions, whether through AI companions, human-in-the-loop systems, or labour marketplace models please reach out to David (dg@brighteyevc.com)!
5. The Future of AI in Education: Emotionally Intelligent Tutors
One of the most intriguing developments is the potential for emotionally intelligent AI tutors. These AI-driven solutions aim to understand students' emotions and adapt their responses accordingly. However, regulatory considerations, particularly in the EU under the AI Act, will play a crucial role in shaping how these technologies develop.
To explore these trends in detail, download the full Brighteye Edtech Funding Report 2025.
Stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes of the Sidekick podcast!
Comments